In an article published by Nature World News on Wednesday,
researchers announced the discovery of a new “Earth-like” planet
orbiting a star not far from our sun. The planet has not been named yet,
but was found circling the star Proxima Centauri—a “cool, tiny red
dwarf” scientists have long suspected might be capable of having a
planet in its orbit. The unnamed planet, known as Proxima b, is reported
to orbit within Proxima Centauri’s “habitable zone” and is a only a
short distance of 4.25 light-years away from Earth. Scientists estimate
the planet receives enough radiation to retain a surface temperature of
around -40° Fahrenheit. Based on what is known about other red dwarf
star planets, Proxima b is likely rocky and has one side constantly left
in darkness. Scientists are unsure whether it is in fact capable of
supporting alien life, but it is believed it could have a surface
“capable of holding liquid water” and sustaining life forms.
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